Real Estate Investing in Christopher, Illinois (62822)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Franklin County • Population: 2,437 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 62822 (Christopher, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (61/100)

Mixed — values have been flat. OK for long-horizon buyers, less attractive if you may need to sell soon.

📈 For Investors
STRONG
4.0 / 5 (86/100)

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 14.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Declining values: -4.9% 5-year CAGR — values have moved lower.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Christopher, IL (62822)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
4.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $71,269
Avg Monthly Rent $828
1% Rule ✓ Meets
Median Income $42,589
% Renters 32.0%

Market Analysis: 62822 Christopher

Homes in the 62822 ZIP trade near $71K, a discount that has historically rewarded investors willing to renovate. Rent comps near $828/mo support the pro forma.

In 62822, the deal is made on the buy and on the capex. impressive entry prices of $71K leave room in the budget for light-to-medium renovation, with rent lift to match.

Statewide, IL value-add investors migrate toward ZIPs with 62822's profile — older stock, soft but real rent growth, and $71K pricing that keeps rehab math workable.

The 62822 ZIP's demographic trend has been one of stability with upside — population of 2,437, steady renter share, and an incoming cohort that is willing to pay for improved units.

The significant opportunity in 62822 is buying the worst house on the block, fixing it, and renting it at the top of the local band. That is the strategy, repeated.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Christopher:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 55/100
Affordability
25/25
Appreciation
0/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 1.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+12.5%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $828/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$99K$90K$82K$73K$64K$55KJan 2012May 2019Jul 2026

📊 How Does 62822 Compare?

Metric 62822 Christopher Illinois
Home Value $71,269 $71,269 $279,761
5-Year CAGR N/A N/A 6.6%
Avg Rent $828 $828 -
Cap Rate 9.1% 9.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 62822? Click to expand

This ZIP code meets the 1% rule with rent at $828/mo on homes averaging $71,269 — a strong indicator of cash flow potential.

Our analysis gives this area a 4/5 investability rating, placing it in the top tier for rental property potential.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 62822 (Christopher, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 62822 (Christopher, IL)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

Investability
Excellent
Cap Rate
9.1%
Excellent
5yr Growth
-4.9%
Declining

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $71,269
Monthly Rent $828
Price-to-Rent 7.2:1
1% Rule ✓ Passes

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 13.9%
Cap Rate 9.1%
5-Year IRR 4.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +12.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR -1.3% ▼
5-Year CAGR -4.9% ▼
10-Year CAGR -1.1% ▼

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Positive Leverage Market Cap Rate: 9.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage may enhance returns here.

The estimated cap rate (9.1%) exceeds the current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%). When borrowing costs less than a property yields, leverage can increase your cash-on-cash return above the cap rate.

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
14.3%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
-4.9%
Declining
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 62822

Population: 2,437

💰 Median Household Income
$42,589
This area
$42,589
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
32.0%
This area
32.0%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.9%
This area
3.9%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
14.1%
This area
14.1%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.2 years
This area
42.2 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
14.3%
This area
14.3%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.8%
Other/Mixed 5.7%
Hispanic/Latino 3.1%
Asian 0.4%
👶 Under 18
22.3%
This area
22.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.8%
This area
20.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
17.8%
This area
17.8%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 62822

A Avg School Grade
2 Schools
11.7:1 Avg Class Size
$17,650 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Christopher Elem School

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
514 Students
👨‍🏫
13.3:1 Class Size
💰
$17,650 Per Student
A Very Good

Christopher High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
196 Students
👨‍🏫
10.1:1 Class Size
💰
$17,650 Per Student

Nearby Schools (4 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

Zeigler-Royalton Elem School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 4877 State Highway 148, Mulkeytown
👥
247 Students
👨‍🏫
11.3:1 Class Size
💰
$17,126 Per Student
A Very Good

Zeigler-Royalton High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
📍 4989 State Highway 148, Mulkeytown
👥
134 Students
👨‍🏫
7.6:1 Class Size
💰
$17,126 Per Student
A Very Good

Zeigler-Royalton Jr High School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 4877 State Highway 148, Mulkeytown
👥
103 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$17,126 Per Student
C Below Average

Franklin-Jefferson SPED Social Em

📚 K – 04 Elementary Limited Data
📍 4989 State Highway 148, Mulkeytown
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

1 Nearby 709 Off-Campus Students
C+
Rend Lake College
1,871 students · 13.1 mi

Investor Insight: With 709 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I house hack in Christopher, IL?

For house hackers, Christopher, IL is an attractive. The $828/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $71K property.

Does the 1% rule work in Christopher, IL?

Hitting the 1% rule in Christopher, IL is realistic given the 1.16% average rent-to-price. Most value-add properties push well above that line.

What real estate strategy is ideal for Christopher, IL?

A value-add and BRRRR deals strategy Christopher, IL best. The market produces predictable results for that approach at the $71K price point.

Does BRRRR pencil out in Christopher, IL?

Christopher, IL is a strong for BRRRR. Acquiring below market, rehabbing, and leasing at $828/mo produces solid refinance appraisals against $71K values.

How do home values compare in Christopher, IL?

Christopher, IL median home values land near $71K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $828/mo-per-month rentals.

You know 62822 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 62822 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

Compare Plans
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 62822 (Christopher)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 62822 (Christopher, IL).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.